(c) Patricia Barry 2007 Le Louvre 1 About the Louvre Museum
(c) Patricia Barry 2007 Le Louvre §It is the biggest museum in the world
(c) Patricia Barry 2007 Le Louvre - History §Originally built as a castle by King Phillippe Augustus in 1200 outside the city wall of Paris. §This is part of the wall, rediscovered when the under- ground gallery was dug out.
(c) Patricia Barry 2007 Le Louvre - L’enceinte §Recent excavations discovered the original walls of Phillippe Augustus’ castle. §They are very thick.
(c) Patricia Barry 2007 Le Louvre - History §King François 1 rebuilt the Louvre as a palace in the 16th century §It became the residence of the French monarchs.
(c) Patricia Barry 2007 Le Louvre - Napoleon §Napoleon restored the Louvre after the Revolution. §It housed a museum at this time. §The Arc de Triomphe du Carousel built in 1806 celebrates Napoleon’s victories.
(c) Patricia Barry 2007 Le Louvre - Pyramid §Le Louvre wished to remain the biggest museum in the world §It was excavated underground and new galleries were added. §These are covered by modern pyramids.
(c) Patricia Barry 2007 Le Louvre - Entrance §The entrance to the Museum is through the largest pyramid.
(c) Patricia Barry 2007 Le Louvre - Inside §Inside, under the pyramid.
(c) Patricia Barry 2007 Le Louvre - The upside down pyramid §The upside down pyramid is a favourite meeting place.
(c) Patricia Barry 2007 Le Louvre - Underground §Below ground, there are shops, cafés and restaurants. §Go to Paris 8 to see the treasures of the Louvre.Paris 8
(c) Patricia Barry 2007 Le Louvre - Les Cours 2 §Some courtyards are roofed so that big artworks may be displayed without damage.